Georgia advanced to Euro 2024’s Round of 16 with a 2-0 victory over Portugal in what was immediately dubbed the biggest upset in Euro history. In the process, it became the first country to advance from the group stage in its first major tournament since Iceland in 2016.
For a short while, it looked like Georgia might pull off an even more historic upset in the knockout round, going toe-to-toe with Spain before the latter ultimately pulled away for a 4-1 win. While Georgia was +800 to beat Portugal, it was double that to defeat Spain, entering the match as a +1600 underdog. A win would have sent shockwaves throughout the soccer world. Instead, they made a statement that they're no pushover going forward.
Spain entered Sunday with the third-best odds to win the tournament, according to DraftKings. They were +450, behind only England (+350) — who took care of business earlier in the day in a 2-1 victory over Slovakia — and Germany (+400). They now continue their march for their first Euro championship since winning back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2012.
Spain's victory sets up a clash of the titans against Germany on Friday. Spain heads into the match favored after leapfrogging the Germans for the second-best odds to win the tournament at +400, while Germany dropped to +450.
Again, it was no sure thing early on that Spain would advance to set up the highly anticipated showdown, as Georgia struck early Sunday on an own goal in the 17th minute. Otar Kakabadze made a run down the right sideline, took one dribble off a pass and crossed it into the box looking for a teammate. However, it bounced off Spain’s Robin Le Normand's abdomen and into the back of the net.
Spain broke through for the equalizer just over 20 minutes later. Rodri took a feed from Nico Williams at the top of the box and booted the ball through Georgia’s Lasha Dvali’s legs and passed goaltender Giorgi Mamardashvili into the left corner of the net.
Spain struck early in the second half to put itself back in control. They took the lead in the 51st minute when Fabián Ruiz converted a header a few yards from the goal line off a cross from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. Georgia did not go quietly into the night, threatening several times to tie it up. However, they gave up a counter to Williams in the 75th minute to make it 3-1 and put the match out of reach. Dani Olmo added another goal in the 83rd minute to cap the 4-1 win.
